Baker Botts Lawyers Vie for Firm’s Top Role Amid Merger Talks

Five Baker Botts partners are competing to become the Texas-founded law firm’s new leader as its partners explore a possible merger.

Litigator Danny David, energy lawyer Jason Bennett, and dealmaker Samantha Hale Crispin have thrown their hats in the ring as the firm sets to elect a new managing partner, according to three sources familiar with the situation. Trial lawyers Roger Fulghum and Kevin Sadler also are said by two sources to be seeking the role.

They’re vying to replace John Martin, who has led Baker Botts for more than four years. The Baker Botts veteran—who spearheaded its California expansion—is ...